Vajrayana Sculptures

The Vajrayana sculptures are one of the major attractions for the tourists who come to visit the state of Orissa from across the country of India. The sculpture of the state associated with Buddhism is one of the prominent parts of the Orissan sculpture of the medieval age.

Buddhism has been an important part of the socio-cultural life in the state of Orissa since the end of the reigning period of the Somavamsi. The Ratnagiri Mahavihara used to be one of the most significant centers of the religion of Buddhism in Orissa. Ratnagiri houses a number of Vajrayana sculptures in Orissa.

The excavations of Vajrayana sculptures at Orissa prove that the Buddhist art form started to flourish in Orissa from the 5th century AD. These sculptures are actually the various forms of Avalokiteswara, Heruka, Manjusri, Kurukulla, Jambhala, Vajrasattva, Mahakala and Aparchana. Some other important Vajrayana sculptures at Orissa are the different forms of Aparajita, Tara, Vajrapani, Arya Saraswati, Marichi, Vajra and Tara.

There are many other sculptures in the place like the three figures of Vajrasattva and an image of Buddha of Haripur, the figures of Tara from Solampur and Prajnaparamita of Banesvaranasi. An image of Maitreyi in Natara close to Kendupatna, an image of Tara in Banpur and Avalokiteswara, Yamantaka and Padmapani images of Kuruma are worth mention. Some other names in this context are Vajravarahi and Marichi of Ayodhya and figures of Buddha at Ganiapalli and Khiching.

The Vajrayana sculptures of Orissa are of special importance to the tourists who follow the religion of Buddhism.